Caddo Commission OKs Controversial Truck Stop Sales Tax

CADDO PARISH, LA

A new 2% sales tax increase at a Hosston-area truck stop has passed through the Caddo Parish Commission in a 7- 4 vote, despite vocal opposition from Commissioner Chris Kracman, who represents the district. Kracman called it “an unfair subsidy” and a clear example of “corporate welfare,” accusing the commission’s Democratic majority of using their votes to flex political muscle rather than serve constituents fairly. 

This is welfare for corporations,” Kracman said. “TA truck stop is not hurting. They own Elsie’s on Highway 1, they’ve got money. And now they’re asking the taxpayers to pay for their road and water infrastructure? 

 

One Business, One Tax 

Kracman argued the sales tax unfairly benefits one business at the expense of others. The TA truck stop, located off I-49 in Hosston, is the only business affected by the tax. Kracman said the truck stop originally promised to fund its own infrastructure when it arrived, but is now using the sales tax to recoup those costs. 

“I’ve talked to over a hundred business owners in the past few months, and they all want to know why their construction wasn’t subsidized too,” Kracman said. 

 

Tax Hike Without Local Support

In what many see as a break from tradition, the Commission passed the measure over the objections of the district’s representative. “There’s always been kind of a gentleman’s agreement that you don’t pass something in a district unless the commissioner supports it,” Kracman said. “That clearly didn’t happen here.” 

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He added that District 3 Commissioner Victor Thomas has been attending town hall meetings in Hosston without his invitation, raising eyebrows and political tensions. 

Legal and Ethical Questions Linger 
Kracman also raised concerns about labor practices at the truck stop. He said one of the co-owners has already been convicted of labor violations at another location, and accusations of undocumented workers living behind the truck stop remain unresolved. 

I don’t want to give tax breaks to anyone,” he said. “But I sure don’t want to give tax breaks to someone breaking federal immigration law.

 

What’s Next?

Although the tax increase is being pitched as temporary, supposedly five years, Kracman isn’t convinced. “When was the last time you saw a tax go away?” he asked. 

He hopes federal investigations and labor board reviews may bring new developments, possibly even invalidating the tax district arrangement. 

I had over a hundred people tell me they’re not going to shop there anymore, he said. Not just because of the tax, but because of how they do business.